News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

cross-in-hands-main_article_image.jpg
World News

Chinese pastor and wife jailed for 14 years

by Antony Bushfield

Pastor Bao Guohua and his wife Xing Wenxiang were detained on 26 July 2015 and held for more than six months before being sentenced.

In addition to their sentences, the court has ordered that assets totalling approximately £66,000 be confiscated from each of them.

The corruption charges against them related to alleged embezzling of money from their congregation.
 
Bao Guohua is pastor of Jinhua Christian Church in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province and is one of several pastors from government-approved religious organisations who have spoken out against the demolition of hundreds of crosses in Zhejiang Province since early 2014.
 
It is reported that up to 10 other church members from Bao's church have been sentenced, as well as his son, Bao Chenxing, who is reported to have been sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: "We are deeply concerned to hear of the sentencing of Bao Guohua and Xing Wenxiang.

"The authorities have claimed that the forced removal of hundreds of crosses from churches in Zhejiang Province is aimed at illegal structures and is nothing to do with religion; yet pastors and Christians who have peacefully opposed the cross removals have been detained and in some cases given long prison sentences.

"Pastor Bao, and Pastors Li Guanzhong and Gu Yuese detained in January this year, are accused of various crimes, but all have one thing in common: they opposed the removal of crosses from Zhejiang churches.

"We call on the Chinese authorities to release immediately all those detained in connection with their peaceful opposition to restrictions on their religious freedom, and to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief for people of all faiths in China."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate